Gugu Gumede Relives Her Own Polygamy Experience Through New Acting Role
Gugu Gumede Relives Her Own Polygamy Experience Through New Acting Role. In just a couple of hours, The Polygamist will go live. The highly anticipated Netflix series takes viewers in the effects of polygamy on all the parties involved, including children.
The Polygamist takes viewers into the life of self-made CEO, Jonasi Gomora. He has build an empire and a complicated personal life that now begins to collapse under the weight of his choices, as the wives and mistresses in his life hold a mirror to the man behind the power. The 22-episode series is led by standout performances from Gugu Gumede and Sdumo Mtshali as Joyce and Jonasi Gomora. Other key cast are Kwanele Mthethwa, S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Kenneth Nkosi, Celeste Ntuli, Wonder Ndlovu, Noluthando Shabalala, Vuyo Biyela and Lwazie Keith Tsebesha.
Just like many South Africans, Gugu has experienced polygamy. The talented actress shared that her mom grew up in that kind of set up, and her late father was also a polygamist. Gugu is happy that through The Polygamist, a woman’s perspective is highlighted.
“To He who is faithful to keep His promises, I say “Thank You Father”.
My mother was a product of polygamy; then as a young woman in politics, she met my father – a polygamist. She fell in love and had two children with him. Although they remained great friends until his passing, she had ultimately decided that polygamy was not for her, and had married someone else.
There are so many layers to this subject, especially in South Africa; but we often see it being told from a man’s perspective. In this show, we see how the choices of one man affected all those around him, especially the women in his life. We also come to see how the women ultimately take back their power.
This has been the role of a lifetime,” Gugu said.
